After taking a look at the teams in the AFC north, it seemed like the proper thing to do to break down each position in the division and take a stab at who is the best in the division at their respective spots. Teams win championships, but players make plays. Here’s a look at the best players in the AFC North.

Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger (Carson Palmer, Derek Anderson)
Ben Roethlisberger has been impressive three of his first four years in the league. Coming into the game as a relief pitcher for Tommy Maddox in game 2 of the 2004 season, Roethlisberger lit up his opponents to go undefeated as a starter. His victories included a come-from-behind win in Dallas, rallying from a 10-point deficit to win the game 24-20. The next season, he led his team to a Super Bowl victory the hard way, carrying the team and the entire city of Pittsburgh on his back through three playoff games on the road. While he had a dismal performance in the Super Bowl itself, he nearly single-handedly got them there in the first place with truly inspired play. We’ll give him a mulligan for the 2006 season because it’s hard to tell if it was a Super Bowl hangover, a slump, or maybe putting his face through the windshield of a Chrysler that made him play like a pom-pom girl in pads. In 2007, all he did was score an efficiency rating over 100, second only to Tom Brady and his season that can only be described as friggin’ sick.

As for the other guys? Derek Anderson may be a one-season wonder; we can’t tell yet. He could be the second coming of Joe Montana, or the second coming of Kordell Stewart. As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004, until he can show that he can be a true leader of his team, and carry the team to victory when everyone else is trying to lose, he won’t supplant a Super Bowl champion at the top of the heap.

Running Back: Willie Parker (Willis McGahee, Rudi Johnson, Jamal Lewis)
Parker was leading the league in rushing yards until he broke his leg with just less than two games left in the season. The little guy, behind a shaky line, has proven all critics wrong who said he was too small to be effective, especially in a town that lives and dies by power running. The additions of Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore will only help matters.

McGahee had a fine season in 2007, nearly mirroring Parker. The difference is that Parker has been steady from his first start, putting up more than 100 yards in the 2004 season finale against Buffalo. Johnson and Lewis are both explosive runners, but they are both the definition of hot-and-cold players. The fact is that Parker was simply the top running back in the league through the first 15 weeks of the season, and could very well have maintained that position had he not been hurt. The fact that he was that close to being the first Steeler in decades to win the rushing title, even with the list of guys who have run in this town over the years, is a testament to how good he can be.

Wide Receiver: Hines Ward/T.J. Houshmanzadeh (Chad Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes)
This one is too close to call, so I won’t try. Some may scream at me for picking Housh over Johnson out of the Bengals’ stable, but a large part of this game comes down to attitude: simply put, Housh has a better one than Johnson. He has quietly put up some of the best cumulative numbers in the league over his time in Cincy, and is far less of a sore thumb than the self-righteous Johnson. Ward, on the other hand, is a different kind of receiver. if we based this on statistics alone, he wouldn’t be in the ballpark. But he’s the only one on this list who can go deep, go across the middle, and lay down a crushing block when called upon to do so. it’s his completeness as a receiver, not his stats, that ties him with Housh.

Edwards had a great 2007, but he needs more than one fine season to be considered the best in the division. Likewise with Holmes, even though he did lead the NFL in yards per catch in 2007.

Tight End: Todd Heap (Heath Miller, Kellen Winslow)
Going counter to my decision to split the decision on wide receiver, Todd Heap wins this one on his own simply because of his consistent ability, year-in and year-out, to destroy solid defenses by getting open deep along the seams. Winslow was good last season at the same thing, but I’m not ready to crown him the best receiving tight end in the division until he does it more than once. Miller is far-and-away the best blocker of the three, and has shown he is probably the best of the three in the red zone when properly utilized. He doesn’t have quite the speed of the other two, though, so his threat is limited. And that’s what keeps him out of the top spot.

RuthlessBurgher

06-19-2008, 01:27 PM

He added a discussion of the best o-lineman in the division in a subsequent article:

http://mvn.com/nfl-steelers/2008/06/17/best-of-the-north-t-g-c/

Best of the North? T, G, C
By Mike Frazer | June 17th, 2008

Author’s note: This one is a little behind, and I apologize. Unfortunately, with Jim currently down for the count and the day job taking an inordinate amount of time last week, I had little chance to put this together. But, without further adieu, here is part two.

Continuing the Best of the North? series, we now look to the trenches to find the offensive guys most likely to turn a defender into lumpy mashed potatoes. This is where everyone who accused me of “homerism” in the first installment gets their due. When your best known quantity on the offensive line is Marvel Smith, you can’t expect a lot to be said about your Big Uglies.

Offensive Tackle: Joe Thomas (Levi Jones, Marvel Smith)
According to FootballOutsiders.com, the Browns were the number one team in the league running around the left end and number three running directly off the left tackle — with a rookie playing what is arguably the most important position on the field. Clearly the presence of Eric Steinbach, acquired before the 2007 season, helped Thomas’ progression, but he stepped in from game one and did the best job in the division protecting his quarterback’s blind side. The confidence and poise with which quarterback Derek Anderson played was largely a result of Thomas’ protection.

Jones has been a fixture on the Bengals’ line for several years and, aside from injuries, has been a starter since his rookie year. That kind of longevity is indicative of his level of play. Smith, too, has been a key component in the Steelers’ line, but back problems have degraded his play. He’s ranked number three in the division for now, but there are a lot of young guys who will have a chance to knock him down the list — even guys on his own team.

Guard: Eric Steinbach (Ben Grubbs)
Steinbach was a key player for the Browns in 2007, helping with the resurgence of Jamal Lewis as the Browns’ left side was simply dominant on the ground. Steinbach was also instrumental early on helping Joe Thomas get his feet wet in the NFL, leading Thomas to a well-deserved Pro Bowl.

Grubbs is solid. He does his job, and his name doesn’t called much. For offensive linemen, that’s usually a good thing. The Ravens have shown their trust in his abilities this off-season, with plans to move him from the right side to the left to help further protect the blind sides of a team full of young, relatively inexperienced quarterbacks.

Center: Do I have to pick one? Really? Okay, Hank Fraley.
This would have been LeCharles Bentley, even after coming off a major injury, had he not been granted a release from the Browns. Every team in the division has questions at center right now: Sean Mahan is likely to lose his starting job to a capable, but far from outstanding, Justin Hartwig — and he’s coming off two injuries in two years with the Carolina Panthers. The Browns currently appear to have Hank Fraley at the top of their depth chart — the same guy who got benched in Philly. Baltimore doesn’t even have a true center on their roster, and Cincinnati’s got competition between an inconsistent Eric Ghiaciuc and Dan Santucci, who is entering just his second year and only appeared in two games last year. Sadly, I think I have to say Fraley is the best of the bunch, and everyone else is fighting to just be recognized by their own positional coaches.

SteelerOfDeVille

06-19-2008, 01:29 PM

As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004
Up to this point, I was reading and feeling the guy... after this point I realized this was written by a Steelers fan who is trying not to be biased... except, he doesn't even have his facts straight...

Rivers and Manning were in Ben's draft and went before him... Palmer was a different year.

NKySteeler

06-19-2008, 01:46 PM

As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004
Up to this point, I was reading and feeling the guy... after this point I realized this was written by a Steelers fan who is trying not to be biased... except, he doesn't even have his facts straight...

Rivers and Manning were in Ben's draft and went before him... Palmer was a different year.

... :wft ... It's one thing to have an opinion, but 'ya gotta get the facts straight.... Good catch.

06-20-2008, 05:45 PM

As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004
Up to this point, I was reading and feeling the guy... after this point I realized this was written by a Steelers fan who is trying not to be biased... except, he doesn't even have his facts straight...

Rivers and Manning were in Ben's draft and went before him... Palmer was a different year.

I think he meant ahead of him as in being drafted a year ahead of him.

birtikidis

06-24-2008, 12:42 PM

As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004
Up to this point, I was reading and feeling the guy... after this point I realized this was written by a Steelers fan who is trying not to be biased... except, he doesn't even have his facts straight...

Rivers and Manning were in Ben's draft and went before him... Palmer was a different year.

I think he meant ahead of him as in being drafted a year ahead of him.

that's how i read it. he was drafted a year ahead and a few spots ahead of him. it made sense to me....

SteelerOfDeVille

06-24-2008, 12:59 PM

As for Palmer, who was drafted ahead of Roethlisberger in 2004
Up to this point, I was reading and feeling the guy... after this point I realized this was written by a Steelers fan who is trying not to be biased... except, he doesn't even have his facts straight...

Rivers and Manning were in Ben's draft and went before him... Palmer was a different year.

I think he meant ahead of him as in being drafted a year ahead of him.

that's how i read it. he was drafted a year ahead and a few spots ahead of him. it made sense to me....
if that's why he meant, why reference a year? and once you do, whose year are you talking about? Ben's or Palmer's?

IMO, he totally F'ed up and you two know enough about the situation that you fixed it in your heads for him.

birtikidis

06-24-2008, 02:49 PM

yea that could very well be true.
i mean i know that ben is better than carson, maybe not from a statistical standpoint but from a football players standpoint. i'd rather have ben any day of the week.

Leigh Bodden was traded to Detroit, so he is not eligible to be mentioned among the best players in the AFC North.

Stacy Andrews was an injury fill-in at RT last year while Eric Steinbach was a Pro Bowl alternate at guard.

Jason Brown is projected to start at center for the Ravens, not Chris Chester.

I said 2007 not 2008. Based on last year not this year. Bodden was one of the top in the class...In the NFL! Who ever started C against the Steelers for the Ravens was my pick at C. I couldn't remember his name just what he did to Hampton. Chester is listed as the starter with Brown behind him on the depth chart. I assumed it was Chester. If not, I would go with Brown. I'm not a Steinback fan. Faneca was a Pro Bowler last year and he isn't on the list. Andrews was the starting LG but moved to RT when Anderson went down. Athletic enough to do so. Andrews is a stud and I would trade him for almost every player on this OL.

RuthlessBurgher

06-25-2008, 07:24 AM

[quote="JUST-PLAIN-NASTY":19mhufb0]MY UNBIASED "2007" ALL AFC NORTH TEAM

Leigh Bodden was traded to Detroit, so he is not eligible to be mentioned among the best players in the AFC North.

Stacy Andrews was an injury fill-in at RT last year while Eric Steinbach was a Pro Bowl alternate at guard.

Jason Brown is projected to start at center for the Ravens, not Chris Chester.

I said 2007 not 2008. Based on last year not this year. Bodden was one of the top in the class...In the NFL! Who ever started C against the Steelers for the Ravens was my pick at C. I couldn't remember his name just what he did to Hampton. Chester is listed as the starter with Brown behind him on the depth chart. I assumed it was Chester. If not, I would go with Brown. I'm not a Steinback fan. Faneca was a Pro Bowler last year and he isn't on the list. Andrews was the starting LG but moved to RT when Anderson went down. Athletic enough to do so. Andrews is a stud and I would trade him for almost every player on this OL.[/quote:19mhufb0]

Also, Mike Flynn was the starting center for the Ravens last year. He is currently an unsigned free agent on the street.

And while I am impressed with Stacy Andrews' brother Shawn in Philly, I don't think Stacy has quite arrived yet. He may have potential, but trying to be an objective observer, I didn't like Cincy's decision to put the franchise tag on Andrews any more than I liked Pittsburgh's decision to put the transition tag on Starks.

JUST-PLAIN-NASTY

06-25-2008, 09:04 AM

[quote="JUST-PLAIN-NASTY":33hbd6im]MY UNBIASED "2007" ALL AFC NORTH TEAM

Leigh Bodden was traded to Detroit, so he is not eligible to be mentioned among the best players in the AFC North.

Stacy Andrews was an injury fill-in at RT last year while Eric Steinbach was a Pro Bowl alternate at guard.

Jason Brown is projected to start at center for the Ravens, not Chris Chester.

I said 2007 not 2008. Based on last year not this year. Bodden was one of the top in the class...In the NFL! Who ever started C against the Steelers for the Ravens was my pick at C. I couldn't remember his name just what he did to Hampton. Chester is listed as the starter with Brown behind him on the depth chart. I assumed it was Chester. If not, I would go with Brown. I'm not a Steinback fan. Faneca was a Pro Bowler last year and he isn't on the list. Andrews was the starting LG but moved to RT when Anderson went down. Athletic enough to do so. Andrews is a stud and I would trade him for almost every player on this OL.

Also, Mike Flynn was the starting center for the Ravens last year. He is currently an unsigned free agent on the street.

And while I am impressed with Stacy Andrews' brother Shawn in Philly, I don't think Stacy has quite arrived yet. He may have potential, but trying to be an objective observer, I didn't like Cincy's decision to put the franchise tag on Andrews any more than I liked Pittsburgh's decision to put the transition tag on Starks.[/quote:33hbd6im]

You might be 100% correct about Harrison vs WImbley. I was trying to be unbiased and look more at potential than what he actually did in 2007. The same happened with Andrews vs Faneca. I guess I should have stuck with my heart on those two. I do believe Wimbley & Andrews will be better from this point forward in their respective careers. But on 2007 merritt, you might have made your case! I think Cincy's decision to tag Andrews was the exact reason why the Steelers tagged Starks. The have an untammed "Stallion" that looks the part but just hasn't shown up yet. I think we both are hoping "The Light Goes One" for our respective players. Did Flynn start both games against the Steelers? I am going to have to see if I have any of the Ravens game still on DVR. Whomever was blocking hampton those two games made Hampton look "Washed Up" or playing injured on many plays. Maybe it was a G eating him up? Casey wasn't the same guy last year. Maybe he is getting worn down? It seems when he has a better statistical game it is because he is making tackles after being pushed back. When Casey has "0" stats it is because he is occupying 2 OL and the LBs are flowing to the ball. The regular season Jacksonville game might have worn him out! He put up big numbers but that was because they were blocking him with one OL and he was making tackles 5 yards down field. I hope the guy is fully recovered and in shape. Maybe one of these young guys can surprise and give him the breather he needs to keep him fresh for playoffs!

papillon

06-25-2008, 12:01 PM

No James Harrison? :Hater :P

Pappy

JUST-PLAIN-NASTY

06-25-2008, 12:30 PM

After some debate with myself and the Steeler Nation I have decided to revise my All AFC North Team. To keep to the format of 2007 performance year and not mistake picking Steelers as being Bias I will change 2!

Just curious as to why you mentioned Chris Williams and Matt Forte, the first two draft picks of the Chicago Bears in the NFC North...

Wow...That's funny! I was using my draft print-out of off Draft Scout to look at the draft outcome. The Bengal & Bear head look almost the same. My Bad![attachment=1:34r76es0]Bears.gif[/attachment:34r76es0][attachment=0:34r76es0]Bengals.gif[/attachment:34r76es0]